need help picking next decent/mid-range graphics..

[chris_gilroy]

hey guys, im not looking for the FireGL, or 9800, nor am I looking for a 5950U.... im looking for a decent card (roughly between 100-150), that will get me good frames, and allow for some nice overclocking...

im currently running a 440mx, and have it oc'ed to 300core, and 500memclock just to get decent frame rate in DAOC running 1024x768 with 4x AA and 2x anistropic filtering.... if i wasnt overclocking it, id get literally 2-5 fps...


so im looking for a card that has DX9 compat (from the looks of it, ALOT of ati (even the 9600 (which ive been leaning towards) have support for DX9,,, also im looking for something with maybe 8x AA? 4x anistropic?.... the whole "software/hardware bundle" doesnt matter much to me, id rather a meaner card, then a bunch of games and demos and dongles...


so please guys, by all means post your recommendations..

 

[HardWareBoss]

You can trade in your old vid card to ATI. 9800Pro $199. It's wourth the $49 extra for the 9800Pro over 9600pro.

 

[theprofessional]

You're roughly in the same market I'm in, and I've been watching the 9600 pro and XT from ATI, Sapphire, and ASUS, but these cards are in the higher end of your range. Check out the functionality of the cards, and decide. newegg.com has a good amount of consumer reviews, and some great prices.

 

[chris_gilroy]

ok, i think i narrowed it down to:

9600pro 256ddr
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-353&depa=1&section=2




or




9600xt 128ddr
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....epa=1§ion=2


price difference is very minimal, i can get 256mb ram, running at 400/660 or 128mb ram, running at 500/650... which would provide the best frames/gameplay with CURRENT games? (as pci express will be out soon, and another new comp will be due ,)

 

[TheCoLd]

I don't know if you can go up this much, but its 179, I don't know how much shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-199&depa=1

 

[splenda20]

as stated by many here on this forum, 256megs on a 9600 is a waste. Regardless of price, go for the XT over the Pro, it's better.

 

[cleeve]

256 megs of RAM is a total waste on these cards. Video card RAM does not = speed, it's more of a marketing feature.

The 128 meg 9600XT will blow the 9600 PRO 256 away in every single aspect.

And if you're going to go with a 9600 PRO, get a 128 meg one. The memory will probably be of higher quality than the 256 meg job, it'll overclock better.

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9500 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(hardmodded 9500, o/c 322/322)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>~2600+</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 2400+ w/143Mhz fsb)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>4,055</b></font color=red>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

As the thread has already pointed out, the R9600XT 128mb would be the best choice for your price range.

Saving $25 for an R9600PRO may also be an option, and may give you better results than some R9600XTs, simply due to beter memory (which would have more effect on the resoltuion, AA/AF settings).

Some R9600XTs have slower memory, and therefore you couldn't OC them to the 330-350 region would would have a far greater impact on AA/AF.

The 4x8 is unlikely in most modern games, but ok for older games.

Here's a recent review from [H] that should offer some insight into that class of card.

<A HREF="http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTk5" target="_new">http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTk5</A>

They even investigate what levels of AA/AF are really playable for the cards.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[Baxter]

Id recomend a Geforce FX 5900 XT its 40% better then the 9600Pro suposidly and it is around the same price.

Athlon XP 2800+
ASUS A7N8X-X
512mb PC2700 DDR (6-2-2-2)
128mb ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
WD 80GB SE 7,200rpm

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

suposidly and it is around the same price.

It's nowhere near the same price, try $40-50 more expensive.

Definitely not to be found new in the $100-150 range.

It's even significantly more than an R9600XT.

If the range was $150-200 I'd say it's a good, choice, but considering that it's NOT 40% better as you say (the R9600 can even beat it in a bunch of games), then what can even be a $70-90 premium is definitely NOT worth it. IT's not bad, but if you're willing to pay premiums, then the slight bump in price from an FX5900XT to an R9800/9800PRO would be MORE than worth it.

But for the price range mentioned above, there is no better card than the R9600 series (pro/xt).


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK